Feeding apparatus for chicks



'M. P. NIERSBACH FEEDING APPARATUS FOR CHICKS Aug. 28, 1945 Filed Sept. 29, 1944 FIQZ.

INlliNTOR. 772$? 7977M BY 5 M A TTO/QNEV Patented Aug. 28, 1945 Application September 29, 1944, Serial No. 556,452

Claims. (01. 119-52.)

This invention relates to improvements in feedlug-hoppers for-chicks;

Anobjectof my invention is to provide improved feeding. apparatus for chicks, having an openrguard which is arranged to prevent the chicks :fromentering a feed-containing pan or to, otherwisecontaminate the feed held therein.

Another object, of. my invention is'to provide improved feeding apparatus for chicks comprisingai, novel open guard which prevents the contamination of the feed held in a feeding pan by the chicks entering or roosting on the same, and at the same time supports a feed supply container in an elevated and secure position so that a replenishing supply of feed may be automatically delivered to the pan.

Other objects of my invention will be pointed out hereinafter, or will be indicated in the appended claims, or will be obvious to one skilled in the art upon an understanding of the present disclosure. For the purpose of this application, I have elected to show herein certain forms and details of a feeding hopper for chicks representative of my invention; it is to be understood, however, that the embodiment of my invention shown and described herein is for the purpose of illustration only, and that therefore it is not to be regarded as exhaustive of the variations of the invention, nor is it to be given an interpretation such as might have the effect of limiting the claims, short of the true and most comprehensive scope of the invention in the art.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of feeding apparatus for chicks, embodying the preferred principles of my invention;

metal strips which are bent, shaped and con-- structed in the manner hereinafter described. Generally speaking, the guard comprises an upper ring-shaped horizontal member A adapted to engage with and rest on the upper edge of the sides of the pan, and a depending vertical ringshaped member B. The upper member A comprises an outer ring-shaped supporting member 2 to which are secured as by welding a number of inwardly extendingmem-bers 3' arranged circularly in spaced relation to one another. The inwardly disposed members are positioned substantiallyin a horizontal plane, and each is bent downwardly at right angles 'as at 4' to form a series of spaced vertical members 5 of: substantially uniform length arranged in circularformation; At: points where the bends -4 occur, the

members 3, 5 are secured as by weldingto a ring-v shaped'reenforcing member or brace 6-which is preferably arranged exteriorly of said members. The lower ends of the vertical members 5 are secured as by welding to an, inwardly disposed circular support 1 which is preferably positioned in substantially parallel relationship to the members 2 and 6.

The member I is normally engaged by the bottom edges 8 of a cylindrical feed container 9 which is supported with its open lower end in spaced relation to the bottom of the pan I. Feed suitable for chicks is placed in the container 9 for subsequent delivery to the pan by first removing the cover It]. The upper level of the feed placed in the container is arbitrarily shown-by the broken line C, while at D is shown the normal level of the feed in the pan l. The depending vertical members 5 are positioned in substantial engagement with or in close proximity to the side walls of the cylindrical fee container 9, thereby normally maintaining it in an upright position. The open horizontal ring-shaped member A resting on the upper edge of the upstanding circular sides of the pan I maintains the cylindrical feed container in a suitably supported position with its lower open end spaced from the bottomof the Pan.

ciently close to one another to prevent the chicks from entering the pan, but the openings therebetween are sufiiciently large to allow the chicks to reach the feed in the pan for the purpose of feeding thereon. The guard therefore prevents the chicks from entering the pan and. contaminating or scratching the feed therefrom, while at the same time it deters the chicks from roosting on the sides of the pan.

Having described my invention, what I claim is: 1. In feeding apparatus for chicks, an open top pan for holding feed; an open guard resting on the upper edges of the pan having a substantially horizontal ring-shaped member provided with a number of openings permitting chicks to reach the feed in the pan and a depending ring-shaped member suspended from the inner edges of the horizontal ring-shaped member; and an open The inwardly extending members 3 are sufi'ibottom feed container positioned inside the depending ring-shaped member and supported thereby in spaced relation to the bottom of the pan.

2. In feeding apparatus for chicks, the combination comprising an open top feed-holding pan; an open ring-shaped guard resting on the upper edge of the sides of the pan having spaced openings through which chicksrmay reach feed located in,the pan, a depending ring-shaped member suspended from the inner edges of the guard having an inwardly protruding member spaced above the bottom of the pan; and an open bottom feed container positioned inside the depending ring-shaped member and arranged with its lower end spaced above the bottom of the pan and resting upon the inwardly protruding member. 3 v

3. In feeding apparatus for chicks, the combination comprising an open top feed-holding pan; a ring-shaped guard supported by the upper.

edge of the sides of the pan and arranged. to prevent chicks from entering the pan, the'said guard having an outer circular wire support and a number of circularly arranged and spaced wire members secured to the wire support and extending toward a'co'mmon center, the said wire members being bent downwardly to provide a substantially vertical ring-shaped member-positioned concentrically with respect to the'wire support;

bers secured to the wire support and extending inwardly, the said wire members being bent downwardly at substantially uniform distances from the wire support to provide a depending vertical ring-shaped member for receiving a feed container, and means carried by and extending inwardly from the ring-shaped member for engaging with and supporting the feed container.

5, In feeding apparatus for chicks, a guard supported on and arranged to prevent chicks from entering a feeding pan, a ring-shaped outer support, a plurality of spaced inwardly extending members of substantially uniform length secured to the outer support, adepending ring-shaped. member secured to the inner ends of the inwardly extending members, and means secured to the depending ring-shaped member for-supporting a feed supply container arranged insidethe depending ring-shaped member.

MILTON P. NIERSBACI-Ii 

